I cheated.

I couldn't help trying out a few of the colors before doing my test fire strips. You're looking at "Glass" Green, "Ultramarine" Blue, and "Peat" Red. Turns out that photographing enamel might be harder than learning how to enamel. I so badly wish you could see the true color of these right off the bat. I'll have to read more about photographing color first.

Anyhow, thought you might enjoy seeing the firing stages of a newbie:



Me, being safe. For Mom and Cody.



Applied counter-enamel. The back must be enameled to support the glass that will be applied to the front. However, I think my 18 gauge copper might be thick and small enough diameter that this might not be necessary.



Fired, applied counter-enamel. This stage is called "Orange Peel Enamel" because it looks exactly like that. You only fire it part way because of the subsequent firings that will fully fuse it.



Unfired Colors applied to the front.





The first firing of the first layer of enamel. Again, not completely fused until all layers are added.



Here's the counter-enamel fully fused.





Not bad for my first project. I've already learned several things.

1. Make sure the kiln is at 1750, not 1550.

2. The trivet I bought is too wide for my tiny circles. (Hence the marks on the counter-enamel. Eventually the back should be as smooth as the front.)

3. Don't talk to people while enamel is in the furnace. (Yes, I've learned this again.)

4. There's not enough time in the day....